“Oh, thank you Mommy. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Those are the words of my two-year old the moment he sees that I have something he wants. He doesn’t ask for it or stomp his feet and demand it. He just says thank you and waits (not always so patiently) for me to give it to him.
He’s expectant.
Why? Because on some level — whatever level that is for a two-year old — he knows that I will provide for him. He knows, or at least expects that I will give him good things — like the warm, sweet cinnamon toast that I just made for myself and have only taken one bite out of.
Lately, his statements of thanks and expectancy have me quietly thinking about my relationship with my heavenly Parent, the One who has promised me good things.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Matthew 7:11
Our Father promises to give good things, but do I ask often enough for the things I want or need? Do I gleefully praise and thank Him for His promises before I receive them? Or do I go on about this life here on earth just getting by, believing in His gift of salvation at some point in future, but not taking hold of His promise here and now?
God’s hands have not been shortened and His ears have not grown heavy (Isaiah 59:1). He is capable. He is listening. He is not lazy. He has not forgotten about me. I can trust that He will do as He say He will, including answering me when I ask, being found when I seek Him, and opening the door to me when I knock (Matthew 7:7-8).
And when Jesus does not respond they way I hope or in the way I think He should? I must simply remember and hold fast to the promise that He gives good gifts. That He will provide more abundantly than I can imagine. That He sees my past, present, and future more clearly than I. That He has all the circumstances happening around me under control and that He is working all things together for my (and your!) good.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
So what am I waiting for..?
Thank You Daddy. Thank You, thank You, thank You! Thank You for every good gift You have and will give me. Not gifts that I deserve or will earn, but gifts that You give out the abundance of Your goodness and grace, gifts that You give for Your glory. Amen.